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WBC talk about airway mucus to prevent cellular damage
Did you have a chance to listen to the 2024 7th World Bronchiectasis Conference summaries? If not, let me entice you with this research that was shared by Drs Shteinberg and Chalmers!!
Rick Boucher, an American researcher, highlighted a critical aspect of bronchiectasis. He explained that, unlike most organs that receive oxygen through the blood supply, the dilated lung tubes in bronchiectasis get their oxygen directly from the airways.
When mucus obstructs these airways, it cuts off the oxygen supply, leading to cellular damage and adverse effects on lung function.
This obstruction exacerbates the production of mucus, creating a vicious cycle of reduced oxygen supply and increased mucus production, which further blocks the airways and increases inflammation.
Understanding this cycle underscores the importance of daily mucus clearance to manage BE and prevent further lung damage. Even if we don’t cough up sputum, doing airway clearance might unblock air passages and improve oxygen getting to our cells. It might also prevent cellular damage.
https://bronchiectasis-patient.org/?page_id=17
Best,
Linda Esposito
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this recommendation of airway clearance seems to be particularly important in USA,
while there are big differences in European countries.
Maybe it's because MAC is more frequent in USA.
Maybe it's because of the payment by health-insurances
All of the international guidelines for bronchiectasis mention airway clearance taught by a professional. The difficulty is finding a professional to teach them.
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2 ReactionsI totally agree! I have not been able to find a respiratory therapist to help me with airway clearing. I have watched videos but even they suggest getting the instruction in person from a professional. My local hospitals have only in patient therapy. I am in northern New Jersey any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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1 ReactionIts true . I have never been instructed by a profesional how to do airway clearance. At NJH I was shown how to use aerobika and aerobica with aeroclipse together plus huff cough but not any other technique. And my pulmo here did not even suggest that. And I live in the Chicago area with good hospitals.
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1 ReactionI understand your frustration and am actively working to improve access to care. I am connected with over 5,000 respiratory therapists on LinkedIn and regularly share information about bronchiectasis (BE) and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases.
My goal is to encourage more therapists to specialize in these areas. However, reimbursement remains a significant issue. At a conference, a doctor mentioned that their bronchiectasis center uses nurses for airway clearance instruction due to reimbursement challenges for respiratory therapy education.
Let's continue advocating for change together.
Warm regards,
Linda
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9 ReactionsCan you come in to NYC? I am treated at NYU-Langone's Bronchiectasis/Mac program by Dr Addrizzo-Harris & had 3 weeks of chest (respiratory) therapy, 2 half-hour sessions/week.
I think they take lots of insurances.
Great about NYU Langone BE/MAC program. I have read several good things on this Mayo Clinic Connect about NYU. Between Mount Siani with their now association with NJH and Langone, hopefully BE patients are finding them and how fortunate to have both facilities there.
Barbara
Wow! Thanks for the great info! Do you have contact info for them?
No, I don’t but Dr Boucher is at UNC.
Does my 7% Saline help to kill the MAC in my lungs?!?!